Theory of society and cultural sociology. Niklas Luhmann and after

Abstract

While not particularly popular or well-known in anglophone sociology or even cultural sociology, there seems to be a renaissance of Luhmann’s work. This essay discusses three recent books on and from Luhmann, which cover the famous Habermas–Luhmann debate, give us a taste of what can been called Luhmann’s empirical cultural sociology and, finally, discuss his theory of society. I will place these books in the context of contemporary cultural sociology, with a focus on the strong program and civil sphere theory. There are a few things that cultural sociologists can learn from Luhmann’s work as well as from works on Luhmann—without having to become disciples ourselves. This includes also more general lessons about theorizing and how we should incorporate insights from other theoretical frameworks. I advocate a pragmatic and eclectic approach to Luhmann’s work, which needs to be rescued from the hands of his most orthodox followers. Finally, I urge my fellow cultural sociologists to follow Luhmann in his ambition to develop a fully-fledged theory of society. The last years have shown that a truly cultural sociology is possible—maybe the next years will show that a cultural sociological theory of society is possible too.